Rule 7-6-F

[rwest]

Rule 7 Section 6. The Batter is OUT

F. When a batter leaves the box, but has returned to the box and makes contact with the ball.


My question is this, define "leaves the box"? Do both feet have to be out of the box? Or is it just one foot? Also, does the entire foot have to be outside the lines? In otherwords, has the batter left the box, if a portion of one foot is touching the line?

Thanks!
Randall

[MA Softball Ump]

There is a difference between ASA and FED on this:

NFHS Rule 7-2 ..."A batter shall not hit the ball fair or foul while either foot is touching the ground completely outside the lines of the batter's box or while touching the plate..." (exception: follow through after hitting the ball is o.k.) 2005 Rules p. 56 Ball Dead imediately - runners return to base.

ASA Rule 7-6D ...[batter is out] When an entire foot is touching the ground completely outside the lines of the batters box when the ball makes contact with the bat" (no problem if bat does not make contact with ball). 2005 Rules p.100 Ball is dead imediately and runners return to base.

Hope this helped!

[rwest]

Originally posted by MA Softball Ump
There is a difference between ASA and FED on this:

NFHS Rule 7-2 ..."A batter shall not hit the ball fair or foul while either foot is touching the ground completely outside the lines of the batter's box or while touching the plate..." (exception: follow through after hitting the ball is o.k.) 2005 Rules p. 56 Ball Dead imediately - runners return to base.

ASA Rule 7-6D ...[batter is out] When an entire foot is touching the ground completely outside the lines of the batters box when the ball makes contact with the bat" (no problem if bat does not make contact with ball). 2005 Rules p.100 Ball is dead imediately and runners return to base.

Hope this helped!

Need some more clarification. I understand the ruling that if a foot is completely outside the batters box and contact is made, we have an out. However, the situation I'm talking about is when a batter leaves the batters box illegally and then re-enters the box. It both feet are inside the box when he makes contact we have an out. This is based on the sited rule (7-6-F). So my question still stands. What defines leaving the box? Both feet completely outside the lines? One foot completely outside the lines?
Maybe some examples will help.

Situation A:

B1 starts out with both feet inside the batters box. He then places his front foot completely outside the batters box without requesting time. Has he left the batters box?
He then replaces his front foot in the box and hits the pitch. Time was never granted. Do we have an out?

Situation B:

B1 starts out with both feet inside the batters box. He then places his front foot so that some portion but not all is outside the batters box without requesting time. Has he left the batters box? He then replaces his front foot in the box and hits the pitch. Time was never granted. Do we have an out?


Thanks!
Randall

Since Mike hasn't answered this one yet, I'll answer it.

I'm guessing that the rule you're referencing is ASA. Answer to your question(s):

Leaving the box refers to one foot (or both feet) COMPLETELY outside the box DURING the pitch. (Think of rule about contacting ball while foot is outside box).

This rule basically came about because of the SP big boys who would start in the box, then go back BEHIND the box, and then get a running start to contact the ball.

In your scenarios, if there is no pitch yet, then you would let all action continue and call the pitch (and if I'm blue, it's gonna be a strike call ). Now, if the pitch has already been thrown, and the batter steps out of the box, then returns to contact the ball, then you have an OUT.

Hope this clarifies.

Serg

[rwest]

Just to verify that we are on the same page, based on the fact that the definition of leaving the box requires one or both feet to be completely out of the batters box, then in the situation below the batter would NOT be out.

Situation B:

B1 starts out with both feet inside the batters box. He then places his front foot so that some portion but not all is outside the batters box without requesting time. Has he left the batters box?

NO, he has not left the box.

He then replaces his front foot in the box and hits the pitch. Time was never granted. Do we have an out?


NO OUT!

That is correct.

Rule 1-Definition of Illegally batted ball should also help in explanation.

Serg

[MA Softball Ump]

Serg has it right. Just to make sure all has been clarified, in ASA:

"Just to verify that we are on the same page, based on the fact that the definition of leaving the box requires one or both feet to be completely out of the batters box, then in the situation below the batter would NOT be out."

Yes, one or both must be completely out of the box (outside the line)

"B1 starts out with both feet inside the batters box. He then places his front foot so that some portion but not all is outside the batters box without requesting time. Has he left the batters box? NO, he has not left the box."

You are correct.

"He then replaces his front foot in the box and hits the pitch. Time was never granted. Do we have an out? NO OUT!"

Correct, his foot never entirely left the box.

Did this help??

TJ

[rwest]

Thanks! That clears it up for me!